SGR Hears from the Speaker of the House

OPENING: Don Pendleton was in his usual place as Sergeant-at-arms noting the presence (or absence) of Rotarians at the 3782nd meeting of SGR. Ray Robinson opened the meeting with a spirited rendition of “My Country, Tis of Thee.” Tom McArthur invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance after which Allen Hilton asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Bob Bramlage took the reins for a boisterous Horseplay while Jack Petersen collected fines on behalf of Polio Plus!

CLUB NEWS: President Ken Sizemore called Allen (Hilton) forward to spin the Rotary wheel in celebration of his birthday on May 28 and newly inducted member Alan (Paxton) also stepped up because his birthday is on the same day . . . and they were sitting side-by-side at the table. A case of "a small world."

Tom McArthur announced he and his wife will be leaving soon for a two year mission for the LDS Church to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Lowry Snow has been appointed to the board of the Utah Economic Development Council.

PROGRAM: Linda Baker introduced Dave Clark, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives and a member of SGR who shared some of the details of the recent legislative session. Clark stated, “Utah is considered the #1 state in the union for the possibility of a quick rebound from the current economic situation in the nation and the only state with an A rating in the Pugh survey. As a legislature, we try very hard to go after problems before they become catastrophic! We know we can’t tax ourselves to prosperity, so we need to look for ways to build our infrastructure of strong businesses.”

The Speaker expressed his concerns over the current situation in Washington DC, noting “I have never seen so much confiscation of state’s rights, including health care, gun control . . . our government needs to slow down and consider what’s best for America.” He also noted the overhaul of the state retirement program and expressed his concerns over the future of Social Security and Medicare. “By 2014, we will be required to cover everyone up to 200% of Medicaid and insurance providers will not be able to take into consideration any pre-existing conditions. Regardless of what we have been told, it is my belief we are going to see costs go up dramatically!”